I love the accordion and related instruments. If there ever existed a soundtrack that would subdue my love for such an enigmatic sound, however, it would be Professor Layton and the Curious Village. This is not to say that it is a poorly composed soundtrack, only that it is a simple and incredibly repetitive one. Despite that, the soundtrack presents a unique, charming, and appropriate backdrop for Professor Layton’s adventures.
Most of the selections on the soundtrack are a combination of accordion, bells and simple percussion, and strings, without great variation in melody within or between them. Fortunately, this repertoire of sounds gives the soundtrack some value. The sounds are appropriate in-game as a backdrop to the Curious Village of St. Mystere and the quirky events that transpire there. It is also unlike most everything else heard in video games. Outside of the game, however, most listeners might grow weary after only a few minutes.
The best track on the OST is undoubtedly “Professor Layton’s Theme,” with its bouncy piano. It provides the most variation in sound and the least repetition of all the songs. Other tracks, including “About Town” and “Puzzles” are more relaxed, but do not wildly depart from the formula. More bells and other soft instruments are used in “The Mysterious Girl” and “Memories of St. Mystere,” but these too sound alike. Other tracks are accordion-heavy without much variety, such as “Gant’s Bar” and “Ferris Wheel Park.” The soundtrack finishes nicely with several remixes, which offer a more full and complex sound.
Overall, the soundtrack is simply too repetitive to be considered anything fantastic. It may provide charm and atmosphere during the game, but outside of that, there is little reason to listen to more than a few select tracks. Even accordion lovers will struggle to get through the entire soundtrack. The remixes are worth hearing, however, and they make one wonder why more was not done to the rest of the music.
